Squirrel glider family finds new home at Corindi Beach

31 July 2015

A squirrel glider family has been safely relocated to a new home at Corindi Beach by expert ecologists after the female and its young were found in a hollow tree near the Woolgoolga to Halfway Creek Pacific Highway upgrade.

Pacific Highway General Manager Bob Higgins said the squirrel gliders were found at Hawthorn Close at Corindi Beach by workers carrying out vegetation clearing for the 14 kilometre upgrade.

“Roads and Maritime Services makes every effort to minimise impact on the environment and specialists have been engaged to carry out inspections during clearing for the new Pacific Highway alignment,” Mr Higgins said.

To reduce the impact on native animals clearing is carried out in a two-step process.

“Firstly hollow-bearing trees are identified and marked in the area to be cleared and vegetation around these trees is removed.

“Then each hollow-bearing tree is checked for animals as hollows can contain wildlife such as possums and gliders.

“The squirrel glider and her young were discovered by fauna specialists on site and were carefully removed from the tree before clearing and released outside the project where there are hollow trees and next boxes.

“The specialists also inspect habitat trees after clearing work to assist with the protection and rescue of native animals.

“About 13 structures are being built as part of the upgrade to ensure animals such as the native squirrel glider can safely cross the highway when it is complete.”

Mr Higgins said Roads and Maritime takes seriously the safety of animals of all sizes.

“During drainage of a farm dam within the project area native aquatic species were collected and relocated to a nearby dam on a private property at Corindi Beach,” he said.